Interview – Ashleigh Morghan

June 14, 2019 Interview – Ashleigh Morghan

Getting a taste for the world of entertaining while modeling as a young child, Ashleigh Morghan could have never foresee that she was preparing herself for a career in film. Starring in 2016’s The Land and 2017’s Snowfall, she would soon find even bigger success with roles in HBO’s Native Son, Netflix’s The Last Summer, as well as her lead in the new Horror flick Head Count.

Portraying Zoe, the Ohio native would earn an award for her role at 2018’s Los Angeles Film Festival. Now set for release on VOD in in theaters Friday, June 14th, Head Count is a monstrous film that should turn a lot of Horror fan’s attention to Morghan’s talents. A big step forward for the actress, she was elate to sit down and chat Headcount plus much more.

Cryptic Rock –You have been involved in acting professionally in both film and television for sometime now. First, tell us, what inspired you to pursue a career as an actress?

Ashleigh Morghan – I started modeling when I was three and continued off and on as a kid. Then when I got to college I needed a minor, so I took an acting for non-majors course for theater and I really fell in love with it. I felt this is where I need to be, so I kept studying theater and I got a degree with a minor in theater. I started doing some small acting jobs in Ohio where I’m from and my passion for it grew bigger and bigger, so I trained, networked, and made the move to Los Angeles. I’m thankful and grateful to be having opportunities and acting still today.

Cryptic Rock –Very cool! You have done quite a bit over the past 6-7 years in a variety of genres. Do you enjoy the ability to do that?

Ashleigh Morghan – I love the ability to work in different genres. It keeps everything fresh, new, and not stagnant. I can jump around, try different things, and it’s really fun for me.

HBO

Netflix

Cryptic Rock –It is good to mix things up. Speaking of different genres, you star in the new Horror film Head Count. How did this come about?

Ashleigh Morghan – It’s funny because my friends will tell you I’m so terrified of Horror films, but I love them. (Laughs) I love old-school type of Horror films and I remember seeing the name of the project and thought, “What is this?,” so I submitted for it. I felt like the character Zoe and I had a lot in common, so I auditioned for it and fell in love with the character. I found out it was a Horror film and I was really intrigued because I’ve never done one before. It was really fun to become this monster and try a character I’ve never done before.

Cryptic Rock –It certainly is something different. Head Count relies heavily on the atmosphere. What was it like working on the film and creating the character?

Ashleigh Morghan – Zoe and I have so much in common, so it was really fun to be this character and in this environment; it is so similar to me and it felt like I was experiencing this phenomenon. It was really awesome filming in Joshua Tree, because it has its own kind of character and at night a kind of ominous character. It added to the suspense because it was so dark; you couldn’t really see what’s out there, it was just pitch black for miles. It added to the anxiety to what was happening in the film.

Cryptic Rock – It sounds like it was an amazing place to shoot.

Ashleigh Morghan – It was! We could have filmed it in L.A., but it was being out there that really intensified everything; it had its own character and it made it more real.

Head Count still.

Cryptic Rock –Yes, it does add to the authenticity of the film. This being your first Horror feature, would you consider doing others?

Cryptic Rock –That would be fun to see. Head Count was released at festivals in 2018, but it hits theaters and Digital on Friday, June 14th. What has the reaction been, thus far? You actually won an award at a festival last year.

Ashleigh Morghan – Yes I won an award for my role as Zoe in Head Count at the Los Angeles Film Festival. It took me by surprise: I was so grateful, happy and excited! I’ve just gotten great feedback from friends, family, and people I don’t know. I went to Sundance Film Festival for Native Son and someone congratulated me for Head Count!

I was in Utah, didn’t even know who this person was, and they had seen Head Count and loved it. That was super awesome to hear, exciting, and made me so pumped for the rest of the world to see this movie. I was so taken aback, honored, and happy someone took their time out to thank me on a film that happened back in Los Angeles.

Samuel Goldwyn Films

Cryptic Rock – That has to be very redeeming. Beyond Head Count, what else do you have coming up?

Ashleigh Morghan –Native Son is now on HBO, The Last Summer is on Netflix, and I’m writing some projects; I’ve been inspired to create, it’s fun telling stories. One is a Psychological Thriller and another is a dystopian Sci-Fi film. Also, another Horror film is in-the-works; I’m just waiting to hear the dates on that. Projects have been coming in and I’m thankful for what I get. I’m excited for what the future holds.

Cryptic Rock – Sounds as if you have a lot of good things going on. Head Count should open a lot of Horror doors for you.

Ashleigh Morghan – I think so too, and I’m excited for people to see it. I think it’s really cool to see the movie with other people in a theater to see their reactions. I know what is going to happen and they don’t, so it’s fun to have that experience with people for the first time.

Cryptic Rock – Yes, it is a blast watching a movie in a theater and seeing people’s initial reactions. Last question, what are some of your favorite Horror films?

Ashleigh Morghan – I know it is super random, but Thinners (1996). I also liked It (2017). I really liked Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Carrie (1976), and I love Aliens (1986). I don’t like jump scare stuff like The Conjuring. I’m also really into vampires, so I love Interview with a Vampire (1994), The Lost Boys (1987), and Underworld (2003). That is kind of where my Horror love lies.